Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 9 (Friday, January 13, 2023)

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2204-2205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00340]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1640; Airspace Docket No. 22-AWA-9]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class C Airspace; Buffalo, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Greater Buffalo International Airport,
NY, Class C airspace description to update the Greater Buffalo
International Airport and Lancaster Airport names and the associated
airport reference point (ARP) geographic coordinates for each airport
to match the FAA's National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database
information. Additionally, this action makes a technical amendment to
the airspace description header information by changing the title of
the airspace area. This action does not change the boundaries,
altitudes, or operating requirements of the Class C airspace area.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, April 20, 2023. The Director of the
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the
Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described
in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the
efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority as it updates listed airport names and the associated ARP
geographic coordinates for those airports and amends the airspace
description header information by changing the airspace title.

History

Class C airspace areas are designed to improve air safety by
reducing the risk of midair collisions in high volume airport terminal
areas and to enhance the management of air traffic operations in that
area. While amending Class D and Class E airspace areas in the vicinity
of Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY, the FAA identified that the Greater
Buffalo International Airport and Lancaster Airport names and
associated ARP geographic coordinates required updating in the Greater
Buffalo International Airport Class C airspace description.
Additionally, the FAA identified a technical amendment to the Greater
Buffalo International Airport airspace description header information
necessary to change the title of the Class C airspace area to reflect
city and state instead of the airport name the airspace is designated
around.
This action updates the airport names and ARP geographic
coordinates for both airports to match the FAA's NASR database
information and changes the title of the Class C airspace area to
comply with FAA Order JO 7400.2 airspace legal description guidance.
Class C airspace areas are published in paragraph 4000 of FAA Order
JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022,
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class C airspace
listed in this document will be published subsequently in FAA Order JO
7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G lists Class
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.

The Rule

This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending the Greater Buffalo
International Airport, NY, Class C airspace description to update the
Greater Buffalo International Airport and Lancaster Airport names and
associated ARP geographic coordinates. This action also makes a
technical amendment to the airspace description header by changing the
airspace title.
The ``Greater Buffalo International Airport'' name is changed to
``Buffalo Niagara International Airport'' and the ``Lancaster Airport''
name is changed to ``Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport''.
Additionally, the ARP geographic coordinates for the Buffalo Niagara
International Airport are changed from ``lat. 42[deg]56'26'' N, long.
78[deg]43'56'' W'' to

[[Page 2205]]

``lat. 42[deg]56'26'' N, long. 78[deg]43'50'' W'' and the ARP
geographic coordinates for the Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport are
changed from ``lat. 42[deg]55'20'' N, long. 78[deg]36'44'' W'' to
``lat. 42[deg]55'19'' N, long. 78[deg]36'43'' W''. Lastly, the airspace
title in the airspace description header is changed from ``Greater
Buffalo International Airport, NY'' to ``Buffalo, NY''. The airport
name and ARP geographic coordinates updates are made to coincide with
the FAA's NASR database information. The airspace title technical
amendment is made to comply with airspace legal description guidance
contained in FAA Order JO 7400.2.
This action does not affect the boundaries, altitudes, or operating
requirements of the airspace. Therefore, notice and public procedure
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is unnecessary.
FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
is published yearly and effective on September 15.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore: (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under
Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation
of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal.
Since this is a routine matter that only affects air traffic procedures
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated,
does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action making technical amendments
to the Buffalo, NY, Class C airspace description qualifies for
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part
1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts:
Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes
from full environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate
or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting
points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E
Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). As
such, this airspace action is not expected to result in any potentially
significant environmental impacts. In accordance with FAA Order
1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA
has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a
normally categorically excluded action may have a significant
environmental impact requiring further analysis. Accordingly, the FAA
has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact
study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

Sec. 71.1 [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19,
2022, effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 4000 Class C Airspace.

* * * * *

AEA NY C Buffalo, NY

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, NY
(Lat. 42[deg]56'26'' N, long. 78[deg]43'50'' W)
Buffalo Airfield, NY
(Lat. 42[deg]51'43'' N, long. 78[deg]43'00'' W)
Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport, NY
(Lat. 42[deg]55'19'' N, long. 78[deg]36'43'' W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
4,700 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of the Buffalo Niagara
International Airport, excluding that airspace within a 1-mile
radius of the Buffalo Airfield and within a 1-mile radius of the
Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport; and that airspace extending
upward from 2,200 feet MSL to and including 4,700 feet MSL within a
10-mile radius of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport,
excluding that airspace within Canada.
* * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on January 5, 2023.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-00340 Filed 1-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P